Whether we mean to or not, the pace of modern life can sometimes make us competitive with our partners in unexpected ways. We all gripe and occasionally try to outdo our spouses on the "who had the worst day" front or get twinges of jealousy over professional successes, but remember, whether good or bad when the day is over you come home to each other. Celebrate your partners' successes with them, take the appropriate supporting spouse bow when offered, but also be sure to include your spouse when you're counting the keys to your own success.

Image 1 of 5 - 5 habits for a healthy marriage

Remember that you’re a team

Whether we mean to or not, the pace of modern life can sometimes make us competitive with our partners in unexpected ways. We all gripe and occasionally try to outdo our spouses on the "who had the worst day" front or get twinges of jealousy over professional successes, but remember, whether good or bad when the day is over you come home to each other. Celebrate your partners' successes with them, take the appropriate supporting spouse bow when offered, but also be sure to include your spouse when you're counting the keys to your own success.

Remember that you’re a team

Whether we...mean to or not, the pace of modern life can sometimes make us...competitive with our partners in unexpected ways. We all gripe and...occasionally try to outdo our spouses on the "who had the worst day"...front or get twinges of jealousy over professional successes, but...remember, whether good or bad when the day is over you come home to...each other. Celebrate your partners' successes with them, take the...appropriate supporting spouse bow when offered, but also be sure to...include your spouse when you're counting the keys to your own...success.

Image 2 of 5|5 habits for a healthy marriage

Getty Images

Try a little tenderness

Not surprisingly, factors like tone of voice, eye contact and facial expressions can be huge in determining how partners feel about each other in the moment, especially if that moment is one of conflict. Be conscious of how you address one another during disagreements so neither of you feel disrespected or emotionally compromised. If you find your voice rising or your tone getting pointed, stop, take a moment and start over. Sometimes it really isn't what you say, but how you say it.

Image 2 of 5 - 5 habits for a healthy marriage

Try a little tenderness

Not surprisingly, factors like tone of voice, eye contact and facial expressions can be huge in determining how partners feel about each other in the moment, especially if that moment is one of conflict. Be conscious of how you address one another during disagreements so neither of you feel disrespected or emotionally compromised. If you find your voice rising or your tone getting pointed, stop, take a moment and start over. Sometimes it really isn't what you say, but how you say it.

Try a little tenderness

Not...surprisingly, factors like tone of voice, eye contact and facial...expressions can be huge in determining how partners feel about each...other in the moment, especially if that moment is one of conflict. Be...conscious of how you address one another during disagreements so...neither of you feel disrespected or emotionally compromised. If you...find your voice rising or your tone getting pointed, stop, take a...moment and start over. Sometimes it really isn't what you say, but how...you say it.

Image 3 of 5|5 habits for a healthy marriage

Getty Images/Vetta

Soften conflict with humor

Have you ever been in a fight and all of a sudden, some word or turn of phrase broke you and your opponent up in a fit of giggles? For some arguments laughter really can be the best medicine. This works best when the argument is small — "I don't want pizza again for dinner" — rather than ongoing conflicts like — "I don't want to raise the kids in your religion." A couple that laughs together, even during moments of disagreement or strife, is frequently a couple that stays together.

Image 3 of 5 - 5 habits for a healthy marriage

Soften conflict with humor

Have you ever been in a fight and all of a sudden, some word or turn of phrase broke you and your opponent up in a fit of giggles? For some arguments laughter really can be the best medicine. This works best when the argument is small — "I don't want pizza again for dinner" — rather than ongoing conflicts like — "I don't want to raise the kids in your religion." A couple that laughs together, even during moments of disagreement or strife, is frequently a couple that stays together.

Soften conflict with humor

Have you ever...been in a fight and all of a sudden, some word or turn of phrase broke...you and your opponent up in a fit of giggles? For some arguments...laughter really can be the best medicine. This works best when the...argument is small — "I don't want pizza again for dinner" —...rather than ongoing conflicts like — "I don't want to raise the kids...in your religion." A couple that laughs together, even during moments...of disagreement or strife, is frequently a couple that stays together....

Image 4 of 5|5 habits for a healthy marriage

Getty Images/Mint Images RF

Support—but don’t smother

"Social Support" is often named as one of the keys to relationship longevity; even beyond conflict resolution the ability to be a stable foundation to your partner during professional and personal difficulties is a major factor in why some couples last over others. Empathy is the key here, rather than solving your partner's problems for them: supportive and codependent are two very different things. Just listening and letting your spouse know you're available to them is sometimes all you need. Make sure your marriage is equal, even when one of you needs more care than the other.

Image 4 of 5 - 5 habits for a healthy marriage

Support—but don’t smother

"Social Support" is often named as one of the keys to relationship longevity; even beyond conflict resolution the ability to be a stable foundation to your partner during professional and personal difficulties is a major factor in why some couples last over others. Empathy is the key here, rather than solving your partner's problems for them: supportive and codependent are two very different things. Just listening and letting your spouse know you're available to them is sometimes all you need. Make sure your marriage is equal, even when one of you needs more care than the other.

Support—but don’t smother

"Social...Support" is often named as one of the keys to relationship longevity;...even beyond conflict resolution the ability to be a stable foundation...to your partner during professional and personal difficulties is a...major factor in why some couples last over others. Empathy is the key...here, rather than solving your partner's problems for them: supportive...and codependent are two very different things. Just listening and...letting your spouse know you're available to them is sometimes all you...need. Make sure your marriage is equal, even when one of you needs...more care than the other.

Image 5 of 5|5 habits for a healthy marriage

Getty Images/Gorilla RM

Celebrate each other

As important as it is to be there for reassurance during one another's difficulties, it's even more important that you're there for the triumphs. Yes, be there for the big deal wins like promotions and personal victories, but also celebrate the little thing you love about one another when it's least expected. Take every chance to celebrate each other that you can: it's always the times you didn't celebrate that lead to regrets.

Image 5 of 5 - 5 habits for a healthy marriage

Celebrate each other

As important as it is to be there for reassurance during one another's difficulties, it's even more important that you're there for the triumphs. Yes, be there for the big deal wins like promotions and personal victories, but also celebrate the little thing you love about one another when it's least expected. Take every chance to celebrate each other that you can: it's always the times you didn't celebrate that lead to regrets.

Celebrate each other

As important as it...is to be there for reassurance during one another's difficulties, it's...even more important that you're there for the triumphs. Yes, be there...for the big deal wins like promotions and personal victories, but also...celebrate the little thing you love about one another when it's least...expected. Take every chance to celebrate each other that you can: it's...always the times you didn't celebrate that lead to regrets.

Thanks to our friends at Parade for sharing these five habits for a healthy marriage courtesy of Relationship Science/Tech hybrid RelSci. We appreciate Parade’s approach to these tips: instead of stressing over marital “don’ts,” take this opportunity for a little positive reinforcement about the things you’re doing right in your union.

Above is our spin on the five healthy habits you should develop for a productive partnership. If you haven’t mastered these yet, it’s time to start.